News for Saturday, February 3, 2007
• US Says New Global Warming Report 'Very Valuable' The Bush administration says a new United Nations report on the dangers of global warming is very valuable, but stopped short of calling for mandatory government controls on greenhouse gasses.
• Philippine Government Peace Delegation Detained at Rebel Camp A Philippine Marine general and at least 10 other people did not leave the camp of a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front as scheduled.
• Violence Erupts Between Palestinian Factions Despite Ceasefire Violence between Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah has erupted again, just hours after the latest ceasefire announcement.
• US Envoy Upbeat on Potential Steps Toward a North Korea Nuclear Deal The chief U.S. delegate to international talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs says steps toward that goal may come soon. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Seoul, where Christopher Hill is beginning regional consultations before next week's planned nuclear talks.
• Coalition Raids in Iraq Kill 4 Terrorists The U.S. military says coalition forces in Iraq have killed four terrorists and detained 29 suspected terrorists during raids targeting foreign fighters and members of al-Qaida in Iraq.
• Chinese Leader to Arrive in Zambia for Economic Talks Chinese President Hu Jintao continues his eight-nation tour of Africa Saturday in the Zambian capital of Lusaka.
• CAR Rebels Sign Deals, Doubts Persist Central African Republic President Francois Bozize has been signing peace deals with rebels, but doubts persist over whether these will end the low-level rebellion. VOA's Nico Colombant reports from our West Africa bureau in Dakar.
• Saudi Police Arrest 10 Suspected of Collecting Donations for Militant Groups Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they have detained 10 people suspected of illegally collecting donations for outlawed militant groups.
• Iranian Media: UN Officials Free to Inspect Nuclear Sites Iran's top nuclear negotiator says U.N. officials are free to inspect the country's nuclear sites.
• Death Toll from Fuel Tanker Explosion in Philippines Hits 50 Military officials in the Philippines say the death toll from a fuel truck explosion in the country's south has risen to 50, with more than 40 others injured.
• Operation Begins to Return Thousands of Displaced to South Sudan The United Nations, with the support of other aid agencies and local authorities is beginning an operation to help tens of thousands of people return to homes they fled in southern Sudan during the country's long north-south civil war. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from U.N. offices in Geneva, the first group of 300 began returning home Saturday.
• President Bush Calls For Economic Policy Changes President Bush is advocating wide-ranging reforms to control government spending in anticipation of a budget proposal he is due to submit to Congress next week.
• Bush Makes Rare Appearance at House Democratic Retreat President Bush is meeting with Democratic Party legislators at a resort in the southern state of Virginia to try to forge a consensus on a wide range of issues, including the war in Iraq.
• Recovery Begins After Deadly Storm in US State of Florida Rescue workers Saturday resumed their search for survivors, and bodies, in the southeastern state of Florida where a powerful storm killed at least 20 people.
• Football Suspended in Italy Following Policeman's Death The Italian football federation has postponed all league matches, after a police officer was killed and more than 150 people injured when fans rioted at a match in the Sicilian city of Catania. Sabina Castelfranco reports for VOA from Rome.
• Democrats Praise Accomplishments, Diversity in Radio Address The Democratic party used its weekly radio address to praise the accomplishments of the Democratic-led Congress in its first 100 working hours.
• British Authorities Work to Contain Outbreak of Bird Flu British authorities scrambled Saturday to contain an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu after the disease struck a farm owned by a major European turkey producer.
• 46 Countries Back France's Proposal for World Environmental Body Forty-six countries have joined France in calling for a new world environmental agency.
• Philippines' Military Chief Expects to Be Freed Sunday A top Philippine military official says he is hopeful that Muslim separatists will release him and other peace negotiators on Sunday after apparently holding them against their will.